Cosmoline

sean69

sean69

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What is the best way to clean cosmoline out of a wood stock? I just got a Czech m24 and it is absolutely covered in the gunk...
Have it sitting out in the sun now hoping most of it will just melt/leech out [I can see some leeching already!!]
Is there a better way.

Also, would the cosmoline have swollen the wood? that rifle was REALLY hard to get apart!

-sean
 
For my Mosins, SVT-40 and SKS I put the stocks and handguards (and some other parts) in the oven at a fairly low temp. I forget what, but probably 180F - 200F (search this site for what others have used). Let em cook for 20 minutes or so, then take out and wipe all the goop off. Then back in for more. Do that five or six times or whatever it takes till they stop sweating out so much goop. Works pretty well.

The longer pieces (Mosins) had to be propped diagonally with one end hanging out of the oven. Just have to change ends every so often.

When doing long pieces at the big diagonal angle I set the low end of the stocks on a cake pan to shield the wood from the very near burner element. Don't want it getting charred by radiant heat.
 
futz said:
For my Mosins, SVT-40 and SKS I put the stocks and handguards (and some other parts) in the oven at a fairly low temp. I forget what, but probably 180F - 200F (search this site for what others have used). Let em cook for 20 minutes or so, then take out and wipe all the goop off. Then back in for more. Do that five or six times or whatever it takes till they stop sweating out so much goop. Works pretty well.

The longer pieces (Mosins) had to be propped diagonally with one end hanging out of the oven. Just have to change ends every so often.

When doing long pieces at the big diagonal angle I set the low end of the stocks on a cake pan to shield the wood from the very near burner element. Don't want it getting charred by radiant heat.
Click to expand...

No way my stock is going to fit in my oven.... even on a diagonal...

I wonder if I could get the same results with a heat gun [the type you use for removing paint]?
 
I've heard steam cleaners work really well. I just fill my bath tub with straight hot water and let em soak for a while. Pull it out, dry it off and then coat with Tung Oil.
 
On youtube there is a guy that I watch, he does a ton of stuff with milsurps and he did a vid on steaming the stock, what a difference it made, I had no idea. Check out Iraqvetern8888.
 
sean69 said:
No way my stock is going to fit in my oven.... even on a diagonal...

I wonder if I could get the same results with a heat gun [the type you use for removing paint]?
Click to expand...

stick them in the car parked in your driveway in the sun. It gets plenty hot in there for that job.
 
sean69 said:
No way my stock is going to fit in my oven.... even on a diagonal...
Click to expand...
What rifle are you cleaning that has a longer stock than a Mosin Nagant 91-30?? The Mosin is crazy long and fit mostly in my oven. It's just a crappy rental house oven - nothing extra big. You have to pull out all the racks except one and move that one right to the bottom. Put the stock in so the bottom is at lower-left-rear and the top is upper-right-front (or vicee versee :D). Then close the oven door on it. Protect it with a rag if the door wants to scratch it. Just keep swapping ends so both ends get heated and cleaned.

sean69 said:
I wonder if I could get the same results with a heat gun [the type you use for removing paint]?
Click to expand...
Don't do it. I tried that and the heat is too intense. Buggered up the finish quickly and didn't do squat to remove cosmo.

Longshot84 said:
I've heard steam cleaners work really well. I just fill my bath tub with straight hot water and let em soak for a while. Pull it out, dry it off and then coat with Tung Oil.
Click to expand...
I've heard horror stories about people trying steam cleaners. But I've also heard success stories. I don't know what to think about that. Didn't try it.
 
HIGHRPM said:
On youtube there is a guy that I watch, he does a ton of stuff with milsurps and he did a vid on steaming the stock, what a difference it made, I had no idea. Check out Iraqvetern8888.
Click to expand...

Iraqvetern8888 . This guy does great vids on youtube. I've used mineral spirits on all metal parts and it worked very well. Also brake cleaner does a good job.

For the stock, I just wiped it down but you could use steam.
 
peteg said:
I've used mineral spirits on all metal parts and it worked very well.
Click to expand...
Mineral spirits (Varsol) works excellent for metal parts. But be aware that it eats through some types of plastic. I know from harsh experience. Used a plastic tray full of Varsol to clean my first milsurp. Left it to have some dinner and came back to a gallon of Varsol on the table and floor. Frantic mopping ensued. The whole house smelled like the inside of a solvent tank for a week. It was winter and I couldn't open windows or doors too much. Ick. f:P:2:
 
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